Ixander and His New Home

In the Questerdom of Pregrenav, near the outskirts of the Young Republic of Alban, in the Kingdom of Livinia, the boy named Ixander was raised by an illustrious warrior-mage who named himself "Fortis" in pursuit of not attracting attention from the covert actions of the Republic of Alban and assassination by Lilacists, a group known to be zealous on establishing a Republic in Alban. He abandoned his old name in favor of a new life that he will indeed lead in these unknown land of opportunity. There in the woods, far from civilization, they lived quietly. He learned slowly the fundamentals of living in the woods and skills to foster the growth of the child. Whenever he needs necessary knowledge about such things, his pursuit is the Library in Axan, the nearest city. From these knowledges, he was able to live in the wilderness. Whenever they eat, the meat is either salted or unsalted wild boar, the vegetables are foraged leaves, wild onions and cultivated saffron, from his small, fertile garden for spices. Their clothing is made of wild cotton, their shack is made of nearby vines and strong, alpine wood from the north of Alatsto Mountains, a part of the Grenavian Range. This is his daily life, as well as Ixander's. They lived however with uncertainty, but it was indeed by the invisible guiding hand that they lived long in this harsh wilderness. Ixander was a great prodigy himself, excelling in hunting, crafting, smithing, and all other skills that is necessary in the uncertain wild. With the help of the books from Axan brought by Fortis and the rich, untold minerals of Alatsto Mountains, he was able to craft and forge his weapons, and even made himself his own flintlock. The metal and flint came from the mountains, powder and sulfur from the rich foots of the mountain, and wood from the same material their strong shack was made of.

It came to a surprise however that one evening, he was packing his things as if he is going to travel for a long journey. Fortis saw him and asked "Ixander, why the packing?"

"Uhhm… remember gramps when you said that I can be on my own at the coming of my age?" Ixander said "…well, I want to provide for us a better life, and a good living by being a risker…"

"Ahh, so came the day…indeed you are young, and you are not seasoned for outside, but I trust you will be able to manage…give me time son… to decide for your departure." Said Fortis

"Alright gramps, but I must go. It must be soon."

"Wait for the morning, you will hear from me. Promise." Said Fortis.

Both of them lay down in their respective beds, and Ixander rests his hands at the back of his head, and looked up on the thatched roof. "I will be a great risker, serving on the ranks of his majesty. For us, a good life awaits!" said Ixander. Fortis turned to the wall, hearing his dreams and aspirations. He was glad to hear that he is an aspiring lad, but at the same time, fear and anxiety wraps his heart. He clenched his fist, then slept through the night.

The next day after, Ixander checked all his bags for sufficient goods. Right at the door, Fortis was there, leaning against the frame. "When you return victorious, I'll give you something important. I don't want to see you dead." Said Fortis. "Gramps, does that mean you allow me to go?" Ixander gleefully asked. Fortis responded with a simple nod, then Ixander went near him, saying "Gramps, I promise I will come back safe and whole. You trained me after all. Have a little bit of confidence to your prodigy" said Ixander. Fortis smiled and nodded. "Very well, since you're so full of yourself, why don't you show it off to buds 'round the city?" said Fortis. He then followed with an advice "Always talk humbly, but proud and firm."

"I will remember it gramps, just as I have remembered everything you taught me" said Ixander. "Take Abrus, he's a good horse and doesn't need much maintenance, just don't forget to feed him of course." Advised Fortis. Ixander then put all his bags at the skirts of the horse, then looks back at his gramps, whose beard is flourished as a bush in the mountains. "Harubar, Baszhulin" said to Fortis.

"Harubar, bazlisan Suwazarkhan. So long, heir of the Throne of Alban."

Ixander went on, until he arrived at the town of Mellius, near the city of Axan, the fortress preceding the capitol. He went straight to the Risk Office to find some of open requests. The Risk Office is a place where all Riskers gather to fulfill requests done my different clients. The place was so crowded with new riskers that Ixander has to wait four hours before he gets to the counterman. The different clients that give out these requests are often merchants, nobles, or a village head in behalf of the entire village. As riskers fulfill more quests, their reputation also becomes credible among clients especially if the client is someone who is influential. Finally, it is Ixander's turn. Ixander began to spoke but he was stopped by the counterman saying "here's your paper, fill it up, pass it to the counterman beside me. No time for questions, if you register here, you already know what to do. Complete your requirements and you'll be done." Ixander sighed and took the paper. He went to the nearest standing desk and fills his form with all the details needed. While he was doing this, a man with a tall stature, with an armor so heavy and all-tattered by experience shoved Ixander aside to a spot he desires. Ixander stared at him and respectfully said "With all due respect sir, it is my place that you took away from me."

"The likes of you have no place in this abode. Look at you! You register to be a risker with such build? You'll be running with a bite of a flea!" All other riskers laughed together with the boasting, bulky risker. The name of this man is Antoninus, a risker who wants to renew his contract with the Risk Office to do miscellaneous jobs. He then went away until Ixander shouted from the top of his lungs. "Your bulk is helium made from Grenavian Airships!"

The entire office, which is crowded, went quiet as Ixander did not know that he is telling such words to an experienced risker who has a near-perfect performance in all of his jobs. "I've killed many Giant Gerbils,…killed many Bandit Lezens, and Republicans, only to be called a Grenavian Airship?!"

He drew his halberd raised it and said "Very well, young risker, face me in the square… NOW!" Ixander, without further ado, accepted the veteran risker's challenge. He did this by unsheathing his sword and raising it over his head, with the tip pointing towards the ceiling. The Office was in an uproar as a controversial match will commence between a newbie risker and a veteran risker.

They indeed met at the square that afternoon. The crowds were watching. Riskers and non-riskers joined in the commotion and men betted as to who will be the victor of this seemingly uneven match. To no surprise, a pile of gold is betted by veterans who trust that the veteran risker will win, but in an effort to believe that newbie riskers can beat veteran riskers, most newbie riskers betted for Ixander. The battle then started with Antoninus charging against Ixander with his halberd. Ixander stayed, formed his stance and prepares to unsheathe his sword. In an effort to quickly distract him, he threw a wooden sword against him in the head and he slid down. Unbeknownst to the veteran risker, Ixander is now behind him. Ixander's arms locked slightly around Antoninus' neck, which made Antoninus pat, much to his shame and demise for such day. For the crowd, it was a shocking turn of events. The newbie riskers won instant gold to start off their journey but the veteran riskers do not accept this. The veteran riskers pounded against the tables set upon the square. The veterans then started a riot amongst the crowd. Newbie riskers are going against veteran riskers while some are running away with the loot of gold they got from winnings of the controversial match. "You veterans have been damned! Great be Ixander!" shouted a newbie risker. "COWARDS! You will pay!" shouted a veteran risker as he charges against the newbie risker he is fighting. The square became a mess, Ixander and even the veteran risker he challenged flee the square together with civilians and non-riskers. "Run! A riot has started!" screamed a woman, "Flee the square! Flee the square!"

Riots and stampedes ended when the local police force entered the square, on which by then it became sparsely populated, and stalls around it became dilapidated not by time, but by stampeding crowds.

Afterwards, a seemingly prominent man entered the premises of the square. From behind one of the walls, Ixander asked to himself "Who is that?" A risker behind him answered "Grandquester Marius, he manages all the things 'round here." Then Ixander responded "Ah, like a Mavedi of Lezen or a Mayor in Alban?"

The Risker looked straight at Ixander "Have you been in places?"

"Of Grenavian Mounts, but not on them" said Ixander.

They continued to watch as the regulars under the Grandquester picked all the pieces of wood, small gold coins of which soldiers pocketed, and all other obstacles in that square. Ixander then returned quietly to the inn he is sleeping at, planning to get away the next day to move at another inn. That night, he slept.

Then Ixander went travelling, he was given commendation by the Grandquester, and then by the Quester-General of the Grenav Questerdom, and then he was also commended by the King of Livinia, he was set to fight wars, lead the riskers to victory as Livinia expands its domain… then he was woken up by a banging of his door. He slowly rose from his bed and opened the door. It was the innkeeper, accompanied by two soldiers behind him. "Risker, these two men are finding for you." Then one of the soldiers stepped forward, unrolled a scroll, and said "His excellency, the Grandquester Marius, asks your presence before him in the Keep of the City, and you are to be accompanied by us."

"Ohoho! Is this my commendation?" asked Ixander with gleeful eyes. The soldiers looked at each other then they looked at Ixander. The soldier who read the scroll then responded "P-perhaps you should…" then he looked back at his companion and faced Ixander again. "…come with us… Hjere"

Ixander is then accompanies by the soldiers to the Keep of the City in a small carriage. In that small carriage, Ixander was imagining of wealth and power that waits for him as he is commended by the Grandquester. Whilst Ixander is weirdly smiling looking outside, the two soldiers accompanying him looks at each other in confusion and they shrugged.

Upon arrival, the two soldiers then went down the carriage along with Ixander. He willingly steps down, and goes inside with wonders still running inside his own little mind. They then arrived at a room with a large door. When they arrived, two other soldiers were already there, grabbing what seemed to be Ixander's challenger at a chaotic match in the square. Ixander stared at Antoninus as he was not grabbed by the soldiers with him for he willingly came. Then the door opened. Inside was a large audience of those who were in the crowds. It was a tribunal court. The soldiers lead Ixander and Antoninus inside to present them before the Grandquester, who is in the middle, presiding over the tribunal.

"Everyone, take your seat" orders the Grandquester, then he nodded at a member of the tribunal. He stood and unrolled a scroll. He then read aloud its contents. "In front of us today is this tribunal on which the City of Axan files vandal and alarms case against Ixander and Antoninu…" he was then stopped by Ixander. "What? What about my commendation?"

The Grandquester looked at him and asked "Commendation?"

"Yes sir! Commendation for defeating such rude and brutish behavior of a man named Antoninus…"

"There is no commendation sir," said the Grandquester. "You and the one you have beaten are going to be tried for what you did. Please continue sir…"

Ixander then sat back at his bench, looking down in shock.

The member of the Tribunal cleared his throat and continued "…ahem… against Ixander and Antoninus."

The trial proceeded when the Mayor came up to the Podium and said "The accused men, as you can see ladies and gentlemen, has reverted our City of Axan to the days of Border Pillage times…"

Border Pillage times were the moments where the Kingdom of Livinia was ravaged by autonomous rogues from the Anarchy that has been going on in the Lands of Alban.

"…as Mayor, I denounce the fact that these gentlemen have defecated on the square by ruining its glory. The townspeople know themselves that I do not seek vanity."

"Any words from any of the accused?"

The room fell silent, but Antoninus stood, still with his bulky armour and said "To the men of the Tribunal, this man over here has challenged my supremacy as a risker with remarkable tone. He challenged me to fight him and –"He was interrupted by boos from the crowd

"Lies!"

"GO TURN YOUR OWN TABLE!"

The Grandquester pounded the gavel "Order!" and order was indeed placed.

The trial went on. Ixander and Antoninus placed their statements, then the Grandquester pounded the gavel, announcing the verdict through a member of the Tribunal.

"The Verdict has been placed and the Tribunal has decided. The two individuals, Ixander and Antoninus, will be sentenced to five full years of imprisonment."

Everyone in the crowd was denouncing the tribunal for their uncompetitive decision. "This is a mock trial! There's no justice! Ixander should be free!"; "Free Ixander from this Judgement!"

On the other side however, veterans are indifferent to Ixander, and to Antoninus who finds him prideful. "Serves both of you right…"

Ixander was placed in the castle prison of Axan, near the residence of the Grandquester.